Fresno Grizzlies turn ground for new left field social space

The Fresno Grizzlies unveiled work at the site of the left field social space at Chukchansi Park; an area to feature a full-service bar, multiple levels for great views of Grizzlies baseball, professional soccer and other special events.

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The Fresno Grizzlies unveiled work at the site of the left field social space at Chukchansi Park; an area to feature a full-service bar, multiple levels for great views of Grizzlies baseball, professional soccer and other special events.

Nelly cancels Chukchansi Park concert, citing scheduling conflict

Nelly, the three-time Grammy Award winning rapper best known for adding consonants to words (as in the 2002 track “Hot in Herre”), is not coming to Chukchansi Park.

The rapper was scheduled to perform Sept. 13, alongside Bronx rapper Fat Joe. The concert was canceled Friday, because of scheduling conflict, according to a release from the Fresno Grizzlies.

“We were hopeful for a good event but understand the industry demands and the time commitment for artists. We also realize how difficult it is working a busy travel schedule and would entertain the possibility of a future Nelly concert at Chukchansi Park,,” Fresno Grizzlies team president Derek Franks said.

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Tickets purchased at www.fresnogrizzlies.com or at the team’s ticket office will be refunded at the box office or online, or by phone at 559-320-8497.

In addition to a refund, the team is offering a free ticket to the Jake Owen, Chris Janson and Jordan Davis concert happening at the park Sept. 15. Owen stops at the ballpark on his Life’s Whatcha Make It tour.

Tickets must be exchanged at the box office.

The shows followed a summer of non-baseball entertainment at the park, including the massive Baile del Signo, which happened Aug. 4 and the Taco Truck Throwdown, which ran July 19-20 and includes performances from Ramon Ayala and DJ Quik along with a Major League Eating competition.

Taken together, the events can be seen as a positive sign that the Fresno Grizzlies’ new owner group means to make good on its name ( Fresno Sports and Events) and the promise of a downtown stadium as year-round entertainment venue.

That promise never materialized quite as envisioned. Though the stadium did host the likes of Toby Keith (in his heyday), Def Leppard and B.B. King in the early 2000s, there was bit of a dry spell after that Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp and Willie Nelson concert in 2009. The stadium sold its mobile stage (for 92 percent less than it cost) in 2015.

In July, the stadium broke ground on a new social space, which includes a full-service bar, six 65-inch TVs and multiple levels for watching games and events. It’s the first major construction project at the stadium since it opened in 2002 and is slated for completion in time for the Owen’s show.